Week Two in Shreveport

Monday I spent the day at home with the boys who were both sick overnight. Daddy went to school, so Grandma played nanny again. Another day at home with Logan on Wednesday. He was coughing aggressively last night, but he was just a little ball of energy for me at home today. I taught him how to make raspberries and how to lay peek-a-boo, which he will do sporadically. I think he has finally accepted me. In the afternoon, Daddy put on Disney World 2011 vacation movies, and we talked about going back there with DJ and Logan in about 8 years.

I started looking for a campground in Pigeon Forge near the Smoky Mountains National Park. Think I found one. I watched a National Park Service movie about the Great Smoky Mountains. The Appalachian Trail runs the entire length of the park from north to south. I am going to try to take on a 7.7 mile stretch of it when I go there in April. Did some research on their shuttle service.

Tuesday was the third of gray, dreary skies during the day and overnight rain. This is my first stop that has NOT been in the high desert. I had gotten used to the sun. When DJ came home he was a little whiney, so Daddy lounged on the couch with DJ and two of his Ninja turtles.

Thursday was Grandparents' Day at DJ's preschool. They were having a program for Black History Month that started at 9:30 am. His class was not present. The program was clever and cute. They did an homage to Black music thru the decades: Chubbie Checker, James Brown, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Beyonce - ending with the Whip and Nae-Nae which was a real crowd favorite. I bought a lunch ticket and headed to DJ's classroom. I walked with him to his music class. He took my hand so he could show me the way. It was so cute. After music class, we went to lunch. We had fried chicken legs, cornbread, rice and gravy, boiled cabbage, and an orange. Because I did not have a car seat with me, I left to go shopping. When I got back home, I walked with Daddy to where the bus drops DJ off. He is always so excited to see Daddy. The bus driver once told Brent that he makes DJ's day every day when he comes to pick him up from the bus. Later that evening, the kids were in high spirits; seems like they are over their colds. DJ caught his cloth football 10 times. We took a photo and sent it to Daddy who, of course, was very proud. Autumn and I had goat-cheese stuffed peppers and Panera bread crustini for dinner. Really nummy.

Heavy shopping week this week: Tuesday, Thursday, and then on Friday we went to the Bossier Boardwalk Mall to do some shoe shopping. Brent needs some new shoes, and our little fat foot baby needs some wide shoes. I bought shoes for the whole family - except Brent. And we got some white chocolate/raspberry cheesecake to go. DJ was so captivated by the water fountain and the related water fall. The water fountain was timed to jump and splash to the music playing over loudspeakers at the Mall. Later we went to Superior Grill for margaritas and crawfish quesadilla appetizers. Brent grilled dinner at home.

Saturday, I put the camper up to do some repairs (remember that fender I ran over on the way to Carlsbad?). I glued and nailed the cabinet side back in place. It had been stapled on - and not with good carpenter staples either. Laundered the towels and pillow shams, and stored a couple of clothes hangers in the camper. I took a photo of the missing panel on the side (still have no idea how that happened) and found a Palomino dealer in Shreveport. That evening, I followed the South Carolina primary (I'm with Her; she won with 75% of the vote) and babysat for the kids since Daddy was working and Mommy went to a birthday party.